L. B. Parsons to John A. McClernand, December 15, 1862
Washington, December 15, 1862.
Major-General MCCLERNAND, Spring/ield : I had supposed that you had received your orders from the Generalin-Chief. I will see him and have the matter attended to without delay. EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War.
CarRo, ILL., December 15, 1862. Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLEOK, Washington, D. C.:
GENERAL: We did not get General Grantâs orders, or have any intimation from any source when any river movement would be made or whether we should be called on for any boats, until noon of the 11th instant. Of course to get up sixty transports, most of which were abroad on trips, have them supplied with crews, stores (especially with coal), and go 450 miles, with extremely low water, in three and a half days was impossible. We have, however, done all that could be done. I have sent forward twenty large transports, and think I shall have twenty to thirty more on the way by Wednesday morning, and hope to be in Memphis Thursday night, Friday at farthest, with sixty boats and fuel enough to make the trip. I have taken on the boats all the coal we could get at Saint Louis and this place, and ordered the boats not to use any of it until they get to Memphis, but rely upon such wood âas they can purchase or cut, and bring to Memphis at least fifty cords of wood by Thursday night. We hope to get 30,000 to 40,000 bushels of coal to-morrow; but this fuelmatter has given me much anxiety. At the present moment things look more favorable in all respects than I expected when we got General Grantâs order. I leave for Memphis to414 WEST TENN. AND NORTHERN MISS. [Cuar. XXIX.
morrow night, to get there on Thursday and take charge of the transports myself. I need not assure you that no efforts on my part shall be spared to render the expedition a success and carry out your plans.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Colonel and Aide-de-Camp.
OxFoRD, Miss., December 15, 1862,
Maj. Gen. W1LLIAM T. SHERMAN, Memphis, Tenn. :
(Care of Captain Fitch, Columbus, Ky.)
If there is any difficulty about getting possession of the forces at
Helena that were thrown to the east bank of the river, assume command
of them, by General Halleckâs order, and organize them and take them